THERE WAS disappointment for Willie O’Connor at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London today.
The Limerick native was defeated 4-2 by Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith at the last-32 stage.
The Irish player, ranked 42nd in the world, got off to a promising start and went 1-0 up initially.
The Englishman, who is currently ninth in the world rankings, took control of the match to go 3-1 up before O’Connor pulled a set back.
However, it wasn’t to be for the 35-year-old, as Smith prevailed ultimately to justify his status as one of the favourites to triumph.
The loss does not end the Irish interest in the competition, however, as Carlow’s Steve Lennon and Daryl Gurney of Derry have upcoming encounters against Mervyn King and Rob Cross respectively.
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗛!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2021
Michael Smith eventually closes out a 4-2 set success over Willie O'Connor, hitting TEN 180s and four ton-plus finishes along the way!
A brilliant win for Bully Boy!#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/sdrmS2qZkU
